Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-27
(cesffnasd fron yesserdsyJ
DARING AND SUFFERING.
4 History Of the Andrew Railroad
Raid Into Georgia in 1862.
CHAPTER XXI.
HERorsN on THE scAFFoLD.

HkEDIsA W Ihk 0LAkEOLO.
The cemetery IL beautifully located and
finely kept The scaffoid had been built
in a little wood at the southeastern side
Of the yard, then outside, but since in
cluded in It's boundaries. A monument
TO the Confederate dead had since been
erected in this cemetery, and large por-
ton Of land decided by the cemetery asso-
citation for their burial, and it was at the
edge Of this plot that the great tragedy
took place No element Of melancholy
horror was omitted. A shallow trench
had been already dug within few feet Of
the long and hideous sca.rold so that the
men as they drove up could look upon
their own OPEN grave. The se5fFoId, which
had Just been completed, consisted Of
single long beam extending from one tree
to another, TO which the ropes were at
tached. and narrow platform OF loose
plank extending under this, so arranged
that the knocking out Of props would
cause IL to fall A considerable number
Of spectators were present, but not nearly
so many as attended the execution Of An
,lrews-no general gathering Of the citi-
gems being permstted-indeed the prepare
tons had been carried on as secretly as
possible.
Capt. Fuller, who had chased the men
on the cars and attended the trial at
Knoxville, was here also to sec the end.
He had been moved to come By % promise
which he as a Mason had made TO Ross,
that he would mark the SPOT cf his burlai,
and notify his father, in Ohio. lie was
faithful TO his promise, though the rotiii-
cation, owing to the policy Of tie Con
federate war department, could not be
made until the close Of the war.
Our comrades mounted the scafTOld by
means Of steps from behind, and then
stood. all seven, side by side, with the
ropes dangling beside them. At the foot
OF the steps Fuller shoOg hands with Ross,
for whom he declares he had come 10 feel
deep friendship. The clergymen, with
their souls in Indignant protest against
the manner Of death, had not accompanied
the procession, There was no help, aud
In few moments death in its most awful
form was to come
Yet the bravery Of the seven was such
as to command the admiration even Of
their foes. Capt. Fuller had atteuled
many military executions during the war,
for such things were fearfully frequent on
the Confederate side; yet lie says HAT he
never saw men die as bravely as these.
With uncovered faces they looked steadily
and screucly on the surrounding foe. f;ut
they were not to die without II word of
testimony that should he long remcm-
bered, and which to some hearts then
present seemed the death knell Of the Con-
federacy.
Wilson was their spokesman. He asked
permission to say word before death,
and 1t was freely accorded. Possibly the
surrounding hundreds expected To hear
some word Of pleading or confession
some solution Of what still seemed mys-
teriouy in the great raid. But il so they
were mistaken. | have received an ac-
count Of this address from more than II
score Of persons who were prcscnt-sol-
diers, citizens and negroes-and it made
the same impression on all. Wilson WIS
born orator. aud he now spoke with
marvellous skill and persuasive eloqucnce
He had conquered fear and banishel all
resentment; and his calm and dispassiou-
ate carnestucss was such as became a
man on the threshold Of another world.